Collapsible crate



Patented Mar. 15, 1921. 3 suEns-snsn s.

fes 1 am F. W. STEFFES.

COLLAPSIBLE CRATE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-1 29w.

warren sires PATENT OFFEQE,

FREDERICK W. STEFFIES, 0F WIEN', MISSOURI.

COLLAPSIBLE CRATE.

Application filed August 1, 1919.

T0 FIZZ iii/tom it may concern.

Be it known that I, FREDERICK W. STEFFES, a citizen oi the UnitedStates, residing at Wien, in the county of Chariton and State oiMissouri, have invented certain new and useful improvements inCollapsible Grates, oi which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to crates or cases of the type employed forshipping eggs, or analogous articles, and an object of the invention isto provide a crate structure which may in easily collapsed into acompact form for reshipment to the original shipper to permit of reuse.

in the present cases or crates employed in the shipment of eggs oranalogous fragible articles, the crates relatively large and bulky andtake up so much space that it is impractical to return them to theshipper for reuse, and they are consequently destroyed, resulting in theloss of the labor and time necessary for making them, as well as theloss oi? material oi which they are made, and it is an object of theinvention to provide a case or rate structure which may be easilyi-ollapsed for return to overcome the undesirable features of the eggcrates usually employed.

Another object of this invention is to proride a collapsible case orcrate structure wherein the sides and ends are hingedly connectm topermit them to be collapsed to lie in substantially parallel abuttingengagenient when the crate is not in use, and also to pro ride aremovable bottom and cover tor the crate structure which may be readilyattached, to and detached from the sides and nJClS oi the crate when thelatter are in an open or extended position and which permits the top orcover and bottom to lie against the surfaces of the sides, when thelatter are collapsed, and also to provide means l'or connecting thecover and bottom to the sides and end of the body when in an openposition, which means also co-act with companion means for securelyconnecting the bottoin and cover to the sides and ends when collapsed,and serve to lock the crate or case inv a collapsed position.

Other objects of the invention will appear i the following detaileddescription taken in connection with the accompanying draw-Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 15, 1921.

Serial No. 314,733.

Fig. 5 is a top plan of the sides and ends of the crate showing thempartly collapsed.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section through the crate in a collapsedposition, and b big. is adetail sectional view of a part Oil the lockingmechanism for locking the rate in a collapsed. position. i Referringmore particularly to the draw rugs, wherein like characters indicatelike and. corresponding parts throughout the several views, the improvedcollapsible case or crate includes sides lfiand 11 which arehingedlyconnected to the ends 12 and 13 by hinges lei, to permit the collapsingof tnesc ends and sides into a comparatively fiat position. The hingeswhich are carried, by the sides 1.0 and 11 a r iiorrned upon suitablemetal str' s 55 which are attached to the outer surfaces of the sides,near their ends and form bracing means therefor, while the end 12 madeby transversely extending bracing strips 16 and 1.7 along its upper andlower edges. The end 13 is braced by u nier tra ,sversel cert .adingbracing strip 18 which is positioned a short distance below the upperedge of the end 13 to permit the engagement with the outer surface ofthe end at its upper edge, with a depending binding strip 19 which iscarried by one end. of the cover 20. The cover 20 has substantiallyright angled hook members 21 attached to its end. opposite the end whichcarries the binding strip 19, and the free ends of these hook membersare bent inwardly as shown at 22 for seating in recesses formed in thesupporting strip 16 to securely connect the top or cover 20 to the ends12 of the casing. The binding strip 19 is provided with a cut outportion 23 formed in its outer surface intermediate its ends in which apin 21 is mounted. The pin 24 is adapted to engage through an openingformed in the free end of? a spring clip 25 for locking the cover 20 ina closed position upon the casing or crate, when the latter is open orin an operative condition.

The end 13 also has a transversely exv tending bracing strip 27 at itslower end, which bracing strip is provided with. a pair of verticallyextending cut out portions terminating in companion cut out portions 29extending inwardly from the upper edge of the bracing strip. These cutout portions 28 and 29 receive therein the hook members 30 which arecarried at one end 01 the bottom 31 of the crate or case. The inner endsof the recesses 29 are rounded so as to permit a certain amount ofpivotal movement of the bottom 31 to facilitate its proper attachmentwith the sides and ends of the casing. The end of the bottom 31 oppositeto that which carries the hook inem ber 30 has a pair of spring members33 attached thereto. These springs 33 are formed upon and extendlaterally from a strip 34 of sheet metal which is bent to extend aboutthe bottom 31 near the free end, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3 ofthe drawing. The free ends of the tongues 33 are angled as shown at 35for engagement over the upper edge of the strip 17 to connect the bottomto the end 12 of the crate structure.

A bracing partition 36 is hingedly connected. by means of hinges 37 tothe side 10 of the crate. Dowels 38 are preferably formed upon thenormally free edge oi the bracing partition 36 and they are adapted toseat in suitable receiving recesses formed in the side 11, forpreventing accidental hinged or pivotal movement of the partition whenthe crate is assembled.

lVhen desired to collapse the crate structure for reshipment, the cover20 is first re moved by springing the spring latch 25 out of engagementwith the pin 24 and the cover is then moved upwardly and rearwardly todisengage the hook member 21 from the bracing strip 1.6 which permitsthe (S0011-- nection of the cover with the sides and ends of the crate.The spring tongues 33 upon the bottom 31 are then sprung outwardlv, tdisengage their angled ends 35 with the bracing strip 17, and the bottomis rocked upon the hooked ends of the hook member 30, which engages withthe arcuate walls o the recesses'29, after which the hook ends are movedout of: these recesses. thereby disconnecting the bottoms from the sidesand ends of the crate, after which the sides and ends are collapsed asshown in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings to position theinsubstantiallyparallel and in close proximitv to each other. After the sides and endsof the crate "end 13, which spring controlled latches engaging in thecrooked end otli the ilOli .0 securely connect the bottom 31 to thesides and ends when in collapsed position and. prevent the uncollapsingn'iovenient of these sections. The hook members 21 on the top 20. areinserted throiiigh openings 43 and -14 in the side 11 and end 12. andtheir angled end 22 is engaged over a portion of the end 12 adjacent theopening for connecting one end of the top 20 to the side 11 and end 12.The opposite end 01' the top 20. namely the end which carries thebinding strip 19 engages against the outer edge oi. the end 13 and isheld securely connected to the collapsed sides and ends of the casin jby a spring tongue 15, which engages over the pin 24.

In assembling the crate structure. the sides and ends are opened so asto be at substan tially right angles to each other a l ter which thehooks 30 upon the bottom 31 are properly positioned in the recesses orcut out portions and 29 upon the member 27 oi the end 13. The bottom isthen positioned in such relation to the end 12 and strip 17 that theangled ends 35 of hooks are free to slide upon the upper surface ofstrip 17.. as shown in Fig. of the drawings. hen the sides are clippedover the bottom tl or will assume their proper positions and the angledends ol? the tongues 33 will cr over the upper edge of the reinforcingi:

17. A. spring catch structure 45"" carried by the upper edge of thebracing strip ll and it has a depending tongue 1-6 thereon. which, whenthe end 12 is being moved over the bottom 31, will ride over therearmost tongue 33, and spring downwardly tor scating the tongue 35 intoa recess t'orn'ied in the upper edge oi. the brace 17 for receiving it.thereby locking the bottom 31 connected to the end 12 to preventaccidental lateral swinging movement of the bottom relative to the sidesand ends of the crate.

Changes in details may he madcwithout departing from th spirit of thisinvention. but

I claim 1. In a collapsible crate. the combination of hingedly connectedside and end lllflllh hers, bracing strips ElillQlNllllg transverse iacross said on d members at their lower ends. a detachable bottom hookscarried by said bottom for engagement with one of said fill edge of thebracing strips at the end which is opposite said end engaged by saidhooks.

in a collapsible crate, the combination oi? hingcdly connected side andend members, bracing strips extending trani-sversely across d endmembers at their lower ends, a bottom, hooks carried by said bottom forengagement with one of said bracing strips, and upstanding tonguescarried by said bottom and having their upper ends angled ifor engigcment over the upper edge oi the bracing: strips at the end which isopposite that engaged by said hook, said side and end member adapted toswing laterally over the bottom in assembling the crate structure topermit engagement of the angled ends of said timg'ues with the adjacentbracing strips.

in a collapsible crate, the combination of hingcdly connected side andend me1nhers, bracing strips extendingtransversely across said endmembers at their lower edges, a bottom, hooks carried by said bottom forengagement with one of said bracing strips, upstanding tongues carriedby said bottom and having their upper ends angled :tor engagement overthe upper edge oi the bracing strips at the end which is on posit-e thatengaged by the hook, said side and end members adapted to swinglaterally over the bottom in assembling the crate to permit engagementoi? the angled ends of said tongues with the adjacent strip, and aspring rap carried by said. bracing strip ad: ited to engage one of thetongues to prevci accidental disconnection ot the bottom,

end members,

side-ant.

in a vcollapsdble crate, the combination of b n dly connected. side andend members, hr; ,inp; striios extending transversely across said endmembers at their lower edges. :1 bottom. hooks carried by said bot tomfo with one of said bracinc strips, upstanding tongues carried by saidbottom and having their upper ends ang ed or one" nent over the upperedge ()F the bracing: at the end which is opposite that ens d by thehook, said side a end members adapted to swin lat rally lover the bottomin assembling" the crate to permit engagement 0"? the angled ends ofsaid tongues with. the adia ent strip, a spring can carried by saidbracing strip adapted to encja one oi the tongues to orerent acc dentaldisconnection of the bottom,

side and end members, certain oi" said sidernd en members provided withonenings to receive said hooks therethrourrh when the crate iscollapsed, and soringr actuated catches for engaging? said books whenthe crate is: collapsed to ock it against accidem tal ass mblingmovement.

In a collapsible crate, the combination oi' hingedly connected side andend'members, bracing strips extending across said end members adjacenttheir lower edges, a bottom, hooks carried by said bottom for engagementwith one of said bracing strips, upstanding tongues carried by saidbottom and hz'tving their low-or ends angled for ena unent over theupper edge of bracing ips at the end or the crate opposite said endengaged by said hook, certain of said side and end members provided withopenings to receive said hooks therethrough when the crate is collapsed,and spring actuated catches for engagement with said hooks when thecrate is collapsed to lock it against accidental assembling movement.

7 6. In a collapsible crate, the combination ot hingedly connected sideand end members,bracing strips extending transversely across said endmembers adjacent their upper edges, a detachable cover, a downturnedbinding strip at one edge of said cover and adapted to engage over theupper edge of one of said end members, a pin carried by said biildingstrip, and a spring tongue carried by said last named end member andadapted to engage said pin to holdtho cover and end and side membersconnected.

'7. In a collapsible crate, the combination othingediy connected sideand end members, bracing strips extendingtransversely across said end nembers adjacent their upper edges, a cover, a downturned binding stripat one edge oi said cover and adapted to engage over the upper edge of?one of said end members, pin carriedby said binding, ip. a spring tonguecarried by said last named end member and adapted to eng age said pin tohold the cover and. end and. slde membe s connected; and hooks carriedby theends ct said. cover o iposi .e the end which or *ries said bindingstrip. the end of the 1Cli4}: stri 'i at the end of the crate adjacentthe hoolr bein provided with recesses ,ted to re eive portions oi? saidhook em. V

in a collapsible crate, the combination oi hinc'edlv connected, side andend members. bracing strips eitteud' transversely across said endmembers at their lower ends, a bottom, hooks carried b said. bottom torengro grement with one oi? said bracine: strips. upstanding; tonguescarried by said bottom nd having}; their upper ends angled for ensentover the upper ed e ot thebracinc' strio at the end oi the crateopposite said end engaged by said hooks, bracing strips extending acrosssaid en d members Qflfiflfljll'l their upper edges. a cover, adownturned biudinc strip on one edge of said cover and adapted to overthe upper oi? one o"? the end members, a pin carried by saidbindingstrip, and a spring tongue carried by said last named end memberand ill) Ii i) adapted to engage said pin to hold the cover and end andside members connected.

9. in a colla iisible crate, the combination, oi: hingedly co nected.side and end members. b 'ing strips extending transversely across saidend members at their lower ends, a bottom, hooks carried by said bottomfor engagement with one of said bracing strips, upstanding tonguescarried by said bottom and having their upper ends angled for engagementover the upper edge of the bracing strip at the end of the crateopposite said end engaged by said hooks, bracing strips extending acrosssaid end memoers engaging their upper edges a cover, a downturnedbinding strip on one edge oi? said cover and adapted to engage over theupper edge oi one of the end members, a pin carried by said bindingstrip, a spring tongue carried by said last named end member and adaptedto engage said pin to hold the cover and end and side members connected.and a hook carried by said cover opposite to the end which carries saidbinding strip, the bracing strip at the upper edge of the end of therate, adjacent said book being provided with recesses adapted to receiveportions of the hook to connect the cover to said end member.

10. In a collapsible crate. the combination of hingedly connected sideand end members, bracing strips extending across said end members andadjacent their lower edges, a bottom, hooks carried by said bottom forengagement with one of said bracing strips, upstanding tongues carriedby said bottom and having their upper edges angled for engagement overthe upper edge of the bracing strip at the end of the crate oppositesaid end engaged by said hook, said side and end members adapted toswing lat erally over the bottom in assembling the crate structure, topermit engagement of the angled ends of said tongues with said bracingstrips, a spring catch carried by the bracing strip and adaptedv toengage one of the tongues to prevent accidental disconnection of thebottom and sides and end members, bracing strips extending across saidend members engaging their upper edges, a cover. a downturned bindingStrip on one edge of said cover, and adapted to engage over the upperedge of saidlast named end member, a pin carried by said binding strip,a spring tongue carried by said last mentioned end member and adapted toengage said pin to hold. the cover and. end andv side members connected.

11. In a collapsible crate, the combination of hingedly connected sideand end members, bracing strips extending transversely across said end.members at their lower ends, a bottom, hooks carried by said bottom forengagement with one of said 1d otton: and sari, ueir upper ends angledfor enga ent over the upper edge of the bracing at the end oi the crateopposite the end .1 l by d liooii, said es and en to swing lateral overthe botton'i in assemb in crate structure to per zit engagement of thean glcd ends of said tongue with. said bracing strip, certain oi stridsiand end members provided v=7ith openings to receive hooks therethrcughwhen the "ate is collapsed. spring actuated catches i engaging said hecrate is ised to lock it movement. .=tr1ps extmiding {\(fi said endmembers adjacent their upper edges. a cover, a downturned binding stripon one edge of said cover adapted to engage over the upper edge of oneof id and members,

iiracing strips, upstanding tongues carried iii (2 tongue carr ed bysaid last named end meniber and adai, ted to engage d pin to hold thecover and end and side members connected, and means for connecting theend of said cover opposite said binding strip to U of the bracing stripat the end of the crate opposite the end engaged by said hooks. certainof said side and end members provided with openings to receive saidhooks therethrough when the crate is z-ollapsed...

spring actuated catches for engaging s d books when the crate iscollapsed to lock it against accidental opening movement, bracing stripsextending across said ends adjacent their upper edges, a downturnedbinding strip on one edge of said cover and adapted to engage over theupper edge of one of the end members, a pin carried by said bindingstrip, a spring tongue arried by said last named member and adapted toengage said pin to hold the cover and end member connected. hooks uponthe end of said cover opposite said binding strip, the bracing stripadjacent said hook being provided with recesses to receive the hooks,certain of said side and end members vided with openings adai'ited toreceive said last named hooks therethrough when the case is assembled.and a second spring tongue car ried by one of said side members andadapted to engage said pin when the crate is collapsed.

FREDERICK W. STEFFES.

"1.11 carried by said. binding st 'ip, a spring

